Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 951: Bladeshine

Chapter 951: Chapter 951: Bladeshine

Zhou Mansion, Zhou Shuren sent people to gather intelligence, with the long daylight of summer, it wasn’t dark yet in the capital, and word of the assassination attempt had already spread. The Zhou family knew of it too; Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan weren’t hurt, but the young servants protecting them had sustained injuries.

Of course, the news might not be accurate, seeing blood but with no loss of life was already a stroke of great luck. As for how many assassins had died, they were only concerned about Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan.

Zhulan said with lingering fear, "Ever since arriving in the capital, the coachman and young servants around Chang Lian have been good martial artists from the household. My caution has indeed paid off."

Being cautious keeps the boat safe for ten thousand years, her caution was validated once more. She didn’t like reflecting after something went wrong, she preferred to plan ahead, thinking of everything that could be thought of. She was grateful to herself again for her prudence.

Zhou Shuren frowned, "I still don’t know when Chang Lian will leave the palace."

Zhulan was worried about Chang Lian. Keeping his troubles hidden from Lady Dong and others, only the eldest and second brothers were aware. She said to them, "You both should go and rest. We’ll wait for Chang Lian to return."

Yang Zhumu and Yang Zhulin knew they would be of no help if they stayed. Their brother-in-law would also need to avoid certain topics in their presence. Yang Zhumu said, "Then we will head back first. Let us know when Chang Lian returns."

Zhulan understood; without her telling them, the eldest and second brothers wouldn’t rest. "Okay."

Outside the palace gates, Prince Qi Zhang Jingyang and others heard that the Emperor refused to see them, each with deeply furrowed brows. They were all aware of how the Emperor favored Rongchuan, and now with Rongchuan in trouble and an assassination in the capital, the Emperor would surely be infuriated.

Zhang Jingyang turned to look at his third and fourth brothers, "Your audacity really startles me."

Zhang Jingshi widened his eyes, "Older brother, don’t make slanderous accusations."

Zhang Jingxi scoffed coldly, "It seems like the second brother is the one who’s feeling guilty."

Zhang Jingyang paced around the third and fourth brothers a couple of times, "After all these years as brothers, you’ve really opened my eyes. I am so scared now. Keep away from me."

Zhang Jingshi squinted his eyes, "The eloquence of my second brother surprises me too. I’ve only now realized just how skilled he is at turning black into white. Admirable, truly admirable."

Zhang Jingxi taunted, "Second brother, this is the entrance to the palace, we haven’t even entered the gates. Save your saliva; this isn’t the government hall, our father isn’t here."

Zhang Jingyang chuckled twice, then turned and briskly walked away. After a few steps, he suddenly turned his head and spoke to the always silent Zhang Yang, "It couldn’t be you, right? They say you only make a noise when you do something remarkable—I suspect that it’s you, the fifth brother, who’s capable of doing something big."

Zhang Yang, lost in his own thoughts, jumped at the second brother’s words, "Second brother, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Zhang Jingyang said teasingly, "The last time with Zhang Jinghong’s incident, I saw that you handled it quite deftly. If it weren’t for Zhang Jinghong’s luck, it could have been more than just an injury."

Zhang Jingshi and Zhang Jingxi turned their heads, a calculative look in their eyes.

Zhang Yang’s heart thumped wildly, feeling fear. The words spoken at the palace gate would surely reach the Emperor’s ears. Anger surged through him, along with frustration that his own situation was so transparent to his second brother. And with resentment, hating his own weakness, he didn’t dare to retort to his older brother.

This time, Zhang Jingyang indeed entered a carriage, but as soon as he did, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He too had considered making a move against Rongchuan, but eventually, held back. Knowing how highly the Emperor regarded Rongchuan, and given Rongchuan’s unique significance in appearance to the Emperor, he was aware that the Emperor would rage. So, he waited, knowing that others wouldn’t be able to resist taking action in the too-quiet capital.

It had not occurred to him that it would start like this—an assassination in the capital, challenging the Emperor. As for Zhou Changlian being involved, he didn’t care much; what he didn’t know was what the Emperor had found out.

Two hours later, Jingyan and Shen Xing finally received word of Zhou Changlian’s return. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had been waiting all along.

Zhulan reached out to touch her son’s body; his clothes had been changed and were not official attire. Once she was sure her son was unhurt, Zhulan’s legs felt weak. Her reason told her that if something truly happened to Chang Lian, the palace would definitely have sent a message to the Zhou family. However, not having seen her son made her genuinely worried.

Even when she took over the care of Chang Lian, who was already in his teens, she had been raising him for years—Chang Lian was her son. "It’s good that you haven’t been hurt; is Rongchuan injured?"

Chang Lian, who had initially been frightened, had now calmed down considerably and his mind was clear. "Mother, I don’t have a single injury, and Rongchuan is also unharmed!"

Zhou Shuren looked carefully; aside from being a bit paler, Chang Lian was indeed fine. "It’s good that you’re safe."

Chang Lian, looking at his parents, felt a sourness in his heart, sure that he had scared them today. "Your son has worried you."

Zhulan, supporting Chang Lian who was about to kneel, said, "What are you kneeling for? You were frightened today and still had to enter the palace; you’ve had a hard time."

With Rongchuan’s incident, the Emperor must be furious, and Chang Lian was even more the neglected poor soul with nobody paying attention to him. It was fortunate that he was not blamed. It was certain he would be questioned; Chang Lian had been through too much today.

Chang Lian helped his mother to sit down. He was able to talk to his parents, which made him feel that his willpower was strong. "Father, the assassination attempt was too sudden on our way back. Thankfully, the young servants reacted quickly. Rongchuan and I have also been continuously practicing martial arts, so that’s why we weren’t injured."

As for the assassin’s ruthless attack, he would not mention it, fearing it would worry his parents.

Zhou Shuren said, "Today’s assassination was premeditated. You were startled today; let’s not talk about other things. You should go back to rest now. Tomorrow, go to the Hanlin Academy to ask for leave to recuperate. When Rongchuan returns to the Hanlin Academy, then you can go back."

Chang Lian indeed wanted to rest; he felt exhausted in both body and mind. "Father, mother, I’m going to rest now."

Zhulan said, "Alright, by the way, do you need the doctor to prescribe some sleeping pills?"

Chang Lian shook his head. "Mother, your son is fine, no need."

He was truly thankful for his frequent visits to the palace to see the Emperor, which improved his courage. He didn’t need to take sleeping pills, and although today’s experiences were numerous, they allowed him to grow a lot.

Zhou Shuren felt relieved once Chang Lian returned. He and his wife hadn’t eaten yet, and he felt a bit hungry at this time. He gestured for old lady Song to bring some food.

As old lady Song went out, Zhou Shuren rubbed his shoulders, feeling stiff from sitting too long, and kept talking. "Tomorrow, have Mingyun and the others take leave as well. Don’t go to the Academy for the next few days."

Zhulan took note and then said, "I wonder if Rongchuan has left the palace; I forgot to ask earlier."

Zhou Shuren replied, "If he had left the palace, Chang Lian would have said so earlier. It seems like Rongchuan has stayed within the palace."

Zhulan couldn’t guess who was behind the attack and asked, "Do you have any suspicions?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head. "None at the moment. The current information is too scarce; I need to wait for the Emperor’s move."

The Zhou family didn’t have the power to control the news in the capital. The only one capable was the Emperor, and Zhou Shuren would have to analyze from the Emperor’s actions.

Zhulan’s worried heart deflated, leaving her without strength in her entire body. With Zhou Shuren having no leads, she had even less to work with. The capital was full of actors, all wearing masks, and it was difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. She sighed, "I can’t eat anything now; you go ahead. I’m going back to rest."

Today had been truly exhausting for her, with the vivid experience of blade and blood.